A lattice Boltzmann (LB) model of an interface between a nematic and an isotropic fluid is presented. The method is used to study, in two dimensions, the properties of a deformable colloidal droplet of an isotropic fluid suspended in a nematic matrix. The isotropic fluid is modelled by a standard lattice Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (LBGK) scheme. The LB model of the nematic is a modified LBGK scheme in which a tensor density is used to recover the variable order parameter nemato-dynamics scheme proposed by Qian and Sheng. The interface between the two fluids is modelled by introducing appropriate forcing at the interface. The stress balance is achieved using an extension of a method proposed by Lishchuk et al, and the torque balance is achieved with an appropriate surface molecular field. The resulting interface algorithm recovers the macroscopic equations developed by Rey. Results are presented for the dependence of the shape of the droplet and the nematic defects upon the surface tension and the anchoring strength. A discussion is also presented of the effect of curvature rigidity on the droplet shape.
We review our recent multi-component lattice Boltzmann equation method for the simulation of a large number of mutually immiscible liquid species and then apply it to the simulation of dense volume fraction suspensions of deformable particles in internal geometry. In particular, we illustrate the scope of our method by applying it to the simulation of pipe flows containing a high volume fraction of monodisperse suspended, deformable particles. The particles are modelled as immiscible, relatively viscous liquid drops. We modify the 'solidity' of the particles by modifying their viscosity and surface tension and demonstrate the effect of the solidity upon the blunting of the velocity profile.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.